Session
Organizer 1: Ibrahim-Kano Jibril , African Union - African Peer Review Mechanism
Speaker 1: Eddy Maloka, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: Clarke Alicia, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Shifa Sorene Assefa , Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 4: Aminu Zainab, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 5: Idé Siddo Balkissa, Private Sector, African Group
Ibrahim-Kano Jibril , Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Ibrahim-Kano Jibril , Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Ibrahim-Kano Jibril , Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: Firstly, the classroom layout ensures that all participants have a clear view of the presentation slides and presenters at the podium. This setup promotes engagement and interaction, allowing for effective knowledge sharing and discussion of complex topics such as the impacts of new and emerging digital technologies on governance in Africa. Moreover, the 90-minute duration provides sufficient time to delve into the subject matter in a meaningful way while ensuring that the meeting remains focused and productive. The topic is of utmost importance to Africa, a continent grappling with significant development challenges. As one of the least developed regions globally, Africa stands to benefit greatly from discussions on digital governance, which can help address existing inequalities and foster inclusive growth.
How can African nations integrate technology into governance to foster stability and development? What are the implications of rapid technological advancements on governance in Africa, and how can these challenges be mitigated? How can the digital divide be bridged to ensure equitable access to technology? What strategies are needed to address risks like data exploitation and cybercrime while maximizing technology benefits? How can digital governance prioritize inclusion, equality, and sustainability while upholding human rights and peace? What policies and capacity-building efforts are necessary to promote effective governance in the digital age?
What will participants gain from attending this session? The session offer a unique opportunity to gain insights and deepen understanding of technology's impact on governance, human rights, peace, and security in Africa. By synthesizing these insights and developing recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders, the APRM can contribute to responsible and effective governance in the digital age, promoting human rights and ensuring peace and security. The focus will be on policy and regulatory recommendations for promoting digital technology adoption while mitigating governance risks and safeguarding human rights, peace, and security. Additionally, it will serve as a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for digital governance in Africa. Through this collaborative approach, experts, policymakers, civil societies, media, academia, and other stakeholders will cultivate a shared understanding of technology's advantages, opportunities, and risks in Africa, emphasizing principles of inclusion, equality, ownership, sustainability, human rights, peace, and security.
Description:
The session offers African Member States a distinctive opportunity to collectively shape a unified agenda for leveraging technology ethically and in line with human rights principles. Rapid technological advancements raise concerns about their potential disruption to governance, and inversely, how global governance changes may impact technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related emerging technologies like nanotechnology and biotechnology are rapidly reshaping the global landscape, bringing complex issues at the intersection of technical, ethical, political, legal, and economic domains. Digitalization's impact on Africa's political systems and economies varies, with new technologies offering growth opportunities but hindered by infrastructure deficiencies, low digital literacy, and socioeconomic challenges. Addressing Africa's vulnerability to data exploitation and limited capacity to influence technical advancements and global legal frameworks, the initiative focuses on assessing technology's implications in political, social, cultural, economic, and ethical aspects within the region. Digital technologies in Africa can worsen existing inequalities while providing inclusive development opportunities. Inequalities span gender, race, geography, and socio-economic factors, extending to education, healthcare, employment, and living conditions. Digital divides further amplify disparities, particularly affecting marginalized groups like informal workers and youth facing high unemployment rates. Some nations strategically leverage AI and innovations for national development, while others risk marginalization due to passive roles in data governance. The meeting aims to address these challenges, fostering equitable technological development and meaningful participation in decision-making processes.
Expected Outcomes: 1. Establishment of a networking platform for policymakers, civil society, academics, and stakeholders to develop a vibrant ecosystem for digital governance. 2. Increased awareness of new digital technology's impacts on governance in Africa. 3. Strengthened coordination among APRM Member States in developing frameworks for digital technology adoption. 4. Enhanced cooperation between global institutions for shaping digital governance frameworks. Specific Outputs: 1. A comprehensive report with policy recommendations from workshops. 2. A policy brief for promoting responsible governance in the digital age. 3. Podcasts / videocasts, and TV interviews to advocate for digital technology's impacts on governance.
Hybrid Format: The APRM will facilitate interaction between onsite and online participants through Zoom for smooth integration. An APRM staff member will moderate the onsite session, while another staff member, working in coordination with the main moderator, will manage online discussions, breakout sessions, polls, and Q&A, ensuring equal participation. Clear instructions and technical assistance will be provided to online attendees by the online moderator in collaboration with the main moderator. Additionally, to boost interaction and manage time effectively, we'll utilize the Zoom timer feature. Supplementary tools such as Slido or Mentimeter will be used for real-time polling and question submission, along with Microsoft OneNote or Word for collaborative note-taking.